The Great Read: The Prom Went On in Kyiv, but Masha’s Date Danced Alone
Masha Polska, 15, was an avid dancer who had been dreaming of a star turn in the group waltz. That was not to be.
The New York Times
The Great Read
June 30, 2026, 2:01 p.m. Eastern time

On weekdays and Sundays, we recommend one piece of exceptional writing from The Times — a narrative or essay that takes you someplace you might not expect to go.

A teenager dances solo in front of two other couples in a room decorated with lavender and purple drapes and balloons.

The Prom Went On in Kyiv, but Masha’s Date Danced Alone

Masha Polska, 15, was an avid dancer who had been dreaming of a star turn in the group waltz. That was not to be.

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